For $5k here in Michigan you should be able to find a nice 300E or decent '94/'95 E 320, that's almost diesel money in a 124.

That's what I'm thinking too...I came THIS close to checking out a w124 diesel that whunter has seen, but my wife nixed the diesel (she doesn't know what's good in life - the smell of diesel).

So, I've been scouring the web and classifieds looking for that nice w124 gasser. Unfortunately, I was spoiled by deanyel's uber-ssexy w124 out in Phoenix. That baby is sweet, and makes the northern junkers around here look like poop.

I'll keep looking....

My wife is open to a W124 diesel, but she wasn't willing to spend the many extra $$ to find a nice one.....someday I will find her one when we have some more $$ to spend. She likes diesels purely for the higher MPG....

Lifespan of M104
 

'95 E320. Bought with 197k mi. and new head gasket. Has 237k now and just replaced transmission. Among other items replaced: wiring harness-60k, water pump-130k, alternator-196k, cabin blower motor-197k, motor mounts-197k, cooling fan and raditor-235k.

M104 lifespan
 

Oh yeah, uses about 1/3 qt oil every 3k mi.

Based on how I throw parts at my cars....our 300E will probably last forever! :D :D